John j



1. J. BROWN. PNEUMATIC PUMP FOR WATER SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG2T,1920.

Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

14 rb-Im WIT.

UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J. BROWN, OF ALVINSTON, ONTARIO, CANADA.

PNEUMATIC PUMP FOR WATER SYSTEMS.

To all 10 hom may concern Be it known that I, JoHN J. BROWN, subject of the King of fcireat Britain, residing at,` Alvinston, iii the county of Lambton,

` Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Pumps for Tater Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pneumatic pumps and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved pump of simplified character, in which a minimum number of parts are utilized and which is positive in operation. n

In pneumatic pumps now utilized at isolated water plants, such as on farms and the like comparatively complicated structures are necessary often embodying two,three or more floats and associate mechanism and one or more tanks or pump cylinders which become out of order and necessitate the ernployment of skilled mechanics in the repair thereof.

It is therefore another object of the invention to provide an improved pneumatic` pump in which `a. single tank o r pump cylinder and a single float are utilized and in which all of the operating parts of the device are located within the cylinder or tank sothat foreign matter, if any, in the well, cannot interfere with the operation of the operating parts.

A further object of the provide a single float for controlling the flow of water into the tank or cylinder and for controlling the entrance of the air pressure into the tank and the eXit of air from the tank,

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means actuated by the float for holding the air exhaust valve in an open position and the float against movement until the tank or cylinder has become filled with water, at which time the lioat is permitted to rise so as to open the air inlet valve and close the air escape valve.

A still `further object of the' invention is to provide an improved means for, arranging the air entrance valve and the air escape valve in relation to each other and for operating the same so that when one opens the other will be fully closed, so that loss of air pressure from the cylinder or tank is eliminated.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the 'novel construcinvention is to Specification oi Letters Patent.

scribed, claimed and Patented Mar. 29', 1921.

Application filed August 21, 1920. Serial No. 404,985.

tion, arrangement and formation of parts as will be hereinafter more specifically del illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thi specification, in which drawings:

b igure l is a vertical longitudinal section through the improved pneumatic pump showing the position of the float when the airinlet valve is open to permit the forcing of water from the tank.

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the position of the float while the tank is being filled .with water and showing the means for -holding the float in its lowered position until the tank has been completely filled with water.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate like and correspondingparts throughout the several views, the letter A indicates the cylinder or tank of the improved pneumatic pump; B, the float; C, the water iiilet valve; D, the water outlet pipe; E, the air inlet pipe; and F, the air escape pipe; G, the means for operating and controlling the flow of air through the inlet and escape pipe: and H, the means for holding the float in its lowered position until the tank has been filled with water.

The cylinder or tank A may be of the usual or any preferred construction, and as shown consist-s of the cylindrical body 5 and theupper and lower walls 6 and 7, which are connected to the cylindrical wall 5 by means of suitable bolts 8 or the like. Owing to the fact that a single float B is utilized, a smaller sized tank or cylinder A is permitted for a given pumping capacity, as when only one float is utilized, a greater capacity is left for the water. The cylinder or tank A is arranged in the bottom of the well or system in the usual manner and below the lowest water level, so as to insure the filling of the cylinder with water at all times. The float B is arranged within the tank or cylinder A and may also be of the ordinary or any preferred type and as shown consists of the hollow cylindrical body l0 and this float is adapted to raise and lower with the water within the cylinder.

The inlet water valve C is arranged'at the lower end of the tank A so that the tank will be filled by gravity when empty. The wall 7 of the cylinder A is provided with a depending valve casing ll whichfis provided with a central guide 12 for the reception of the valve stem 13 of the valve C. The lower end of the valve stem 13 is provided with an enlarged head 14 which limits the upward movement of the valve C olf of the casing 11. As clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the valve casing 11 projects slightly above the upper surface of the lower wall 7 so that the valve body 15 will be able to lit tightly against the same. The lower surface of the valve body 15 is provided with a suitable washer or gasket 16 so that a tight seat may be had. The valve stem 13 is connected to the valve body 15 in Aany preferred manner and as shown the valve body 15 is provided with a central threaded bore and the upper end of the stem is threaded into the bore. The valve body 15 is provided with a peripheral upwardly extending flange 17 the purpose of 'which will be hereinafter more specitically described.

The water outlet pipe D is carried by the top wall 6 adjacent to the edge thereof and includes the depending pipe 18 which eX- tends into a valve casing 19 and the supply .pipe 20 which is adapted to be extended to the desired point where water is desired as in the usual construction. The depending pipe 18 ends short of the lowerend of the cylinder and as air pressure enters the upper end vof the cylinder A as will be hereinafter more fully described, the water will be forced out of the pipes 18 and 20. The valve casing 19 is provided with any pre- *errcd type of check valve 21-so as to control the passage of the water therethrough.

The upper wall 6 also carries a valve casing 22, which has communicating therewith the air pressure conduit pipe E. This pipe 'E is extended to the usual air pressure storage tank of the water system (not shown). The valve casing 22 includes a substantially annular tapered seat 23 on which is adapted toseat the cone valve 24. The cone valve 24 has a depending` stem 25 secured thereto whichextends through the valve seat and terminates in ahead 26. This head 26 is adapted to be operated by the float B as hereinafter will be more fully described for permitting the valve to be unseated so as to allow the air under pressureto enter the tank or cylinder A and force the water therefrom.

Y' The air escape pipe F also communicates with the upper wall 6 and is threaded into a valve casing 30 which is formed integral with the upper wall 6. A valve 31 is adapted to lit upon the seat and includes a cylindrical body 32 which is adapted to extend in the seat, and an annular flange 33 which is adapted to lit around the seat and prevent the escape of air through the seat when the valve is seated thereon. The valve 31 is provided with a depending valve stem 34,

head 26 of the valve stem 25 when unseating the valve 24. The operating lever 35 is provided with a slot 3S for the reception of the valve stem 34 and the free end of the valve stem is provided with a head 39 which limits the movement of the valve stem in relation to the lever 35. The lever 35 adjacent to its free end has pivotally connected thereto by means of a pin 40, the depending rod 41 which is secured to the lioat B and it can be seen that when the float B is raised within thetank or cylinder A the valve 24 will be unseated while the valve 31 will be seated. An expansion spring 42 is coiled around the rod 34 and bears against the lever 35 and the valve 31 and normally tends to hold the valve on its seat. The action of this spring is such as to quickly close the valve when the lever 35 is being raised and for retarding the opening movement of the valve when the lever is being lowered. This insures that the valve 31 will be closed or opened prior to j the movement of the valve 24 so that the escape oli air pressure from the cylinder or tank A is absolutely precluded. The means H utilized 'for holding the valve 15 olli' or' its seat until the water has completely filled the cylinder A consists oli' a bell crank 44 which is pivoted at its angle upon the angular arm 45 of the bracket 46. The lower end of this bracket is secured in any preferred manner to the bottom wall 7 'The bell crank 44 is provided with an upper relatively long arm which has its free end pivoted as at 47 to the lower end of the float B and the short arm of the lever is disposed directly above the valve 15.

'ln operation ot the improved pneumatic pump the valve 15 will be normally held upon its seat by the air pressure, but when the float B falls below a predetermined distance with the water column in the tank, the lever 35 will be lowered such a distance as torpermit the valve 24 to sit upon its seat 23. Directly after the valve 24 has been seated, the valve 31 will move off of its seat, and permit the escape of air from the tank or cylinder A. The opening movement of the valve is retarded by the spring 42 which insures that the valve 24 will be fully seated so that loss of the luid pressure will be eliminated. `When the pressure has been released frein the cylinder, the valve 15 will be opened by the water in the well and the tank will be filled by gravity. lt can be seen that when the valve 15 is opened by the water, the float B will be in a lowered position and the lowerA arm of the bell crank 44 will lie in a substantially vertical plane and will be engaged by the outer face of the annular flange 17 formed on the valve. This forms a lock and absolutely precludes the upward movement ofthe float until the vtank has been illed, at which time the valve 15 will fall by its own weight and permit the upward movement of the float B. It can be seen that by retarding the upward movement of the float by the valve 15, that expansion spring 42 will forcibly push the valve 31 on its seat, thus preventing further escape of the air. Upon the entrance of air into the cylinder the water will be forced out of the tank through the supply pipe 20 which may be provided with suitable control valves in the usual water system for controlling the flow of water therethrough.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that an exceptionally simple and durable pneumatic pump has been provided in which a single cylinder and ioat is utilized.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention; but, I claim:

1. In a pneumatic pump, a cylinder, air

inlet and exhaust valves in the cylinder, a,

water inlet valve in the cylinder, and a single float for controlling the operation of said air inlet and exhaust valves and said water inlet valve.

2. In a pneumatic pump, a cylinder, air inlet and exhaust ports in the cylinder, valves arranged in said ports, a water inlet valve in the cylinder, a oat for operating the air inlet and escape valves, and means controlled b-y said water inlet valve for prevventing movement of the i'loat at certain times.

3. In a pneumatic pump, a cylinder, air inlet and exhaust ports arranged in the cyl' inder, oppositely opening valves in the ports, a float for operating said valves, a water inlet valve, and means adapted to be engaged by said water inlet valve for preventing movement of the float during the lling of the cylinder with water.

4. In a pneumatic pump, a cylinder, air inlet and exhaust ports arranged in the upper end ot the cylinder, oppositely opening valves arranged in said ports, a water inlet valve arranged at the lower end of said cylinder, a float in said cylinder, a lever arranged in said vcylinder adapted to operate said valves, means operatively connecting the Hoat with said lever, and means carried by the float for engaging said water inlet valve to prevent movement of the float in the cylinder uponthe filling of the tank with Water. I

5. In a pneumatic pump, a cylinder, air inletand exhaust ports communicating with the upper end of the cylinder, oppositely opening valves arrangedk in said ports, a pivoted lever arranged to operate said valve, a float in said cylinder, means operatively connectingthe float with the lever, and a trip carried by the float arranged to engage the water inlet valve when the same is raised to permit the entrance of water into the tank for holding the ioat against movement during the filling of the cylinder.

.6. In a pneumatic pump, a cylinder, air inlet and exhaust ports arranged at the upper end of the cylinder, oppositely opening valves arranged in said ports, a float, means operated by said float for opening and closing said valves, an air inlet valve arranged at the lower end of the cylinder, a bracket carried by the lower end of the cylinder, a bell crank pivoted at its angle to said bracket, means pivotally connecting one of the arms of the bell crank to the ioat, the other arm of said bell crank being arranged directly above the water inlet valve and adapted to be engaged thereby.

In a pneumatic pump, a cylinder, air inlet and outlet ports arranged at the upper end of the cylinder, oppositely opening valves arranged in said ports, a water outlet pipe carried by the tank, a depending bracket carried by the upper end of the cylinder, a pivoted lever carried by the bracket arranged to engage and operate said valve, a water inlet valve arranged at the lower end of the cylinder, afloat, means operatively connecting the fioat with the lever, a bracket carried by the lower end of said cylinder, a bell crank pivoted at its angle to said bracket, means pivotally securing the terminal of one of the arms of the bell crank to the ioat, and an upstandinof annular flange formed on said water inlet va ve and arranged to engage the other arm of the bell crank.

8. In a pneumatic pump, a submerged cylinder, air inlet and exhaust ports arranged in the upper end of said cylinder, oppositely opening valves arranged in said ports, depending valve stems formed on said valves, a pivoted lever adapted to operate said valves, means for insuring the retarding of the opening and closing movement of one of the valves, a water outlet pipe communicating with said tank and terminating short of the lower end thereof, a water inlet valve carried by the lower end of said tank, means for guiding the valve in its movement, a bracket carried by the lower end of said cylinder, a bell crank pivoted at its angle to said bracket meansivotall connectin the.

a E y g terminals of one of t e arms of the bell crank to said iioat, and an upstanding annular flange formed on the float and arranged to engage the other arm of said bell crank.

9. In a pneumatic pump, a submerged cylinder, air inlet and exhaust ports arranged in the upper end of the cylinder, oppositely opening valves arranged in said ports, a depending bracket carried by the cylinder and arranged adjacent to the side Wall thereof, a lever pivoted at its outer end to said depending bracket, depending valve stems formed on said valves, a head formed on one of said valve stems, a socket formed 0n the free end of said lever arranged to engage said head, the lever having a slot formed therein adjacent to its outer end for the reception of the other valve stem, a head formed on said last mentioned valve stem, an expansion coil spring carried by the last mentioned valve stemf0r normally retaining said valve on its seat, a Water outlet pipe communicating With said cylinder, a check valve arranged in said pipe, a float operatively connected to said lever, a Water inlet valve, and a trip carried by said float arranged to engage said Water inlet valve.

l0. In a pneumatic pump, a cylinder, air inlet and exhaust ports arranged in the upper end of the cylinder, oppositely opening valves arranged in said ports, depending valve stems formed on said valves and arranged exteriorly of the ports, a float, a lever pivotally secured at one end and arranged below and in the path of said valve stems, and means pivotally connecting the lever to said oat.

JOHN J. BROWN. 

